[en] Synchronized phasor measurement units (PMUs) are becoming a reality in
more and more power systems, mainly at the transmission level. This paper
presents, in a tutorial manner, the benefits that existing and future State
Estimators (SE) can achieve by incorporating these devices in the monitoring
process. After a review of the relevant PMU technological aspects and the
associated deployment issues (observability, optimal location, etc.), the
alternative SE formulations in the presence of PMUs are revisited. Then,
several application environments are separately addressed, regarding the
enhancements potentially brought about by the use of PMUs.